Arsenal would now be willing to sanction the departure of William Saliba as part of a swap deal for a Real Madrid star this summer, according to a report.

Doubts remain over Saliba’s Arsenal future

There have been widespread recent reports suggesting the Gunners are set to offer Saliba a new contract, amid interest from European heavyweights Real Madrid, but there is still plenty of doubt over the defender’s future at the Emirates Stadium.

Madrid president Florentino Perez has hatched a plan to sign the Frenchman, alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly, in a deal that could amount to £101m, and the Spanish side’s recent transfer business indicates they could be capable of getting a deal over the line.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave boyhood Club Liverpool may have sparked outrage among supporters, but it also showcased the pull the La Liga Club have in the transfer market, as explained by Everton’s James Tarkowski.

With that in mind, there are plenty of signs that Saliba could also be tempted if Madrid come calling, and a new report from Spain has suggested Arsenal would be willing to sanction the Frenchman’s departure as part of a swap deal for Rodrygo.

Mikel Arteta has been considering the possibility of swapping the centre-back for the forward, but a deal of that nature is not of interest to Perez, given that Saliba’s market value will drop next summer, at which point he will have one year remaining on his contract.

With Arteta pushing to sign the Brazilian, who could cost as much as £85m, it remains to be seen whether a deal of a different nature is possible, but Perez’s lack of interest in a swap means Saliba is unlikely to be heading in the opposite direction.

Saliba must be kept at all costs

Saliba’s contract running down should be a major cause for concern, with Madrid’s move for Trent highlighting their willingness to wait for a target to be available on a free transfer before making a move.

However, the France international should be kept at all costs, given how important the centre-back has been for quite some time, with Arteta lauding him as “incredible” earlier this season.

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The Spaniard thinks he could be “key”.

That said, it would be exciting if Arsenal were able to bring Rodrygo to the Emirates Stadium alongside the 24-year-old this summer, having been lauded as “spectacular” by pundit Terry Gibson during his time with the Spanish Club.

As such, the Gunners should look to negotiate a different type of deal for the Brazil international, who is among a number of potential winger targets this summer.